Downtown Minneapolis offers a rich variety of higher education and community learning. From liberal arts colleges to senior citizen-focused learning programs and music lessons, just about everyone can learn new skills or acquire knowledge in a variety of fields.
The Art Institutes International Minnesota
15 S. 9th St.
332-3361
artinstitutes.edu/minneapolis
The Art Institutes International Minnesota provides post-secondary creative and applied arts education to aspiring creative professionals. Many faculty at the Art Institutes are working professionals who can provide real-world experience to students.
The Art Institutes offers degrees in: advertising, audio production, culinary arts, digital film and video production, fashion and retail production, graphic design, hospitality management, interior design, photography, web design and other fields.
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Tuition: Varies by program
Capella University
1-888-227-2736
capella.edu
Capella University’s mission is to expand access to a variety of degrees to adults who are seeking personal or professional potential.
Programs are meant to be active, engaging and relevant, and are offered in a variety of delivery modes.
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Tuition: Undergraduate, $795 per credit hour and up; Graduate, varies by program
Dunwoody
818 Dunwoody Blvd.
374-5800
dunwoody.edu
Dunwoody is a private non-profit institution that uses a technology-driven approach to hands-on learning. Program achievements include: two-year degrees obtainable after one or two years, as well as mini-certificates and four-year programs. Academic programs: Arts and sciences; computer technology; construction design; electrical; electronics; food technology; heating, ventilation and air conditioning; manufacturing; printing and transportation.
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Tuition: Varies by course
Globe University
80 S. 8th St
455-3000
globeunversity.edu
Globe University is a career-training provider with a goal of offering courses that provide practical skills and knowledge students can later apply in their workplaces. They award bachelor’s, master’s and associate degrees. Technical diplomas and certificates also are awarded.
Degrees at Globe University are focused on several high-demand fields including: business and accounting, health care and veterinary technology, criminal justice and paralegal services, information technology and creative media.
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Tuition: Undergraduate programs, $435 per credit hour (tuition cap at 16 credits); nursing program, $435 to $625 per credit hour; graduate programs, $535 per credit hour.
Intermedia Arts
2822 Lyndale Ave. S.
871-4444
intermediaarts.org
Intermedia Arts is a multidisciplinary, multicultural arts center that supports a broad spectrum of artists with a focus on those who wouldn’t be heard elsewhere.
The center features the longest running GLBT literary series, a first-of-its-kind multimedia festival that showcases women’s contributions to hip-hop, at-risk youth programs and others.
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Tuition: None specified. The center takes donations on its website.
The Loft
1011 Washington Ave. S.
379-8999
loft.org
The Loft is the nation’s largest and most comprehensive literary center. It is a non-profit arts organization offering services to readers and writers at every level.
Programs include readings by local and national authors, classes, weekend genre conferences, competitions, writers’ studios and more.
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Tuition: Membership fees vary by course length, membership status and income.
MacPhail Center for Music
501 2nd St S.
321-0100
macphail.org
The MacPhail Center for Music is part of the vast and vibrant Twin Cities arts community. It provides instruction for individuals, groups and ensembles and partnerships with schools and organizations for people of all ages.
Programs include individual lessons, the Suzuki program, ensembles, jazz, prelude and others.
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Tuition: Individual lessons, $544 to $1088 for 16 to 18 weeks (varies for lesson length, 30 to 60 minutes); group classes, $372 to $616 per student for 16 weeks (vary by group size); ensembles, varies by age group; $200 to $375 (varies by program); prelude program, $690
Metropolitan State University–Minneapolis Campus
1501 Hennepin Ave. S.
659-7300
metrostate.edu
Metropolitan State University is the only state university in the Twin Cities. The school is focused on high-quality, affordable education for working adults. Students can obtain a bachelor’s degree, master’s or doctorate.
Metropolitan State has more than 50 majors, 8 graduate programs and a doctorate program.
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Tuition: Undergraduate, $187 per credit (resident) or $382.13 per credit (non-resident); graduate, $291.35 per credit (resident) or $582.70 per credit (non-resident)
Minneapolis Community Education Adult Enrichment Program
Various locations
668-3939
commed.mpls.k12.mn.us
The Minneapolis Community Education Adult Enrichment Program exists to support the learning and participation of adults so they can improve their minds and community. The Adult Enrichment program offers a variety of courses that are taught by volunteers. This, along with contributions from community taxpayers, helps to provide affordable education to all.
Adult Enrichment classes include: academic work, adults 55+, arts and crafts, technology, consumer and business, cooking, exercise and fitness, recreation, yoga, hobby and leisure, trips and tour and others.
Programs offered take place in city schools or community centers.
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Cost: Varies by course
Minneapolis Community and Technical College
1501 Hennepin Ave. S.
659-6000
minneapolis.edu
Minneapolis Community and Technical College (MCTC) is a public two-year college that focuses on training students for high-demand jobs or to transfer into four-year colleges.
The college offers general, liberal or technical educational programs, as well as continuing and English language education.
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Tuition: Undergrad, $165.81 per credit for general education courses; Minnesota residents age 66 and up, $42.31 per credit (space available basis, beginning second day of term)
Minnesota Center for Book Arts
1011 Washington Ave. S.
215-2520
mnbookarts.org
The Minnesota Center for Book Arts, located in the same location as The Loft, is the largest and most comprehensive center of its kind in the nation. MCBA celebrates the book as a contemporary art form.
Crafts such as papermaking, letterpress printing, bookbinding and more are celebrated at MCBA. The center includes exhibition space, a studio shop, archive and reference library and offices.
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Tuition: Membership costs start at $40 for individuals, $60 for households
North Central University
910 Elliot Ave.
343-4485
northcentral.edu
North Central University is a Pentecostal school that prepares students to fulfill biblical models of leadership and ministry throughout the world.
Most majors offered are geared toward church-oriented careers, with all majors designed to be ministry-focused. All students take core subjects in the Bible and other theology and attend daily chapel. Programs are particularly focused on urban and international settings.
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Tuition: $15,660 per academic year, $7,830 per semester (based on 15 credit hours at $522 per credit)
St. Mary’s University — Schools of Graduate and Professional Programs
2500 Park Ave.
866-437-2788
smumn.edu
St. Mary’s University is private, Lasallian Catholic institution with multiple campuses. The Schools of Graduate and Professional Programs is one of the largest graduate schools in Minnesota with programs in business and technology, education, health and human services and other fields.
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Tuition: Graduate, $385 to $680 per credit hour depending on program
University of St. Thomas — Minneapolis Campus
1000 LaSalle Ave.
651-962-4000
stthomas.edu/mpls
The University of St. Thomas is a Catholic, diocesan university based in St. Paul with a campus in Minneapolis. It is the largest private university in Minnesota. Its mission is to educate students to think critically and act wisely to advance the common good.
St. Thomas offers bachelor’s degrees in more than 85 fields of study and graduate degrees in more than 45 areas, including master’s, education, juris doctor and doctorate.
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Tuition: $984.50 per credit hour, $3,938 per course (4 credits), $31,504 per year
Walden University
1-866-492-5336
waldenu.edu
Walden University is an online school that focuses on serving the higher education needs to working professionals by providing distance-learning education.
Areas of study include education, health, nursing, social services and others.
